Bears will be on red alert for Jennings near goal

Receiver will provide tough challenge to Urlacher in red zone

January 01, 2011|By Matt Bowen | Scouting the Bears

The Packers will plan route combinations to challenge the Bears' defense once they enter the red zone. Similar to their first meeting at Soldier Field, Green Bay will prepare to see the Bears in their Cover-2 and target the middle of the field with wide receiver Greg Jennings.

The Packers will use their Posse personnel (three wide receivers, one tight end, one running back) in their empty alignment versus the Bears base nickel personnel (four defensive lineman, two linebackers, five defensive backs) to run the double smash post.

The Bears will alter their Cover-2 in the red zone by calling for "Red-2." Cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings will sink with more depth at a 45-degree angle to the goal line, providing the safeties with more cushion on the 7 (flag) routes while giving the Bears a "five-across" end zone look. Cover-2 is considered a three-deep, four-under defense out in the field with the Mike linebacker running the inside vertical. In the red zone, it turns into a five-deep, two-under defense. The Bears are essentially creating a tent over the end zone to force the ball underneath.

The routes

The Packers align in an empty formation (no backs) with the wide receiver (W) and the tight end (Y) running the quick smash routes (5-yard square-ins). Jennings (Z) will align as the No. 3 receiver inside and run the post. To the open (weak) side, the running back (R) also runs a smash route while the X receiver runs the 7 to the corner of the end zone to carry the free safety away from the middle of the field.

Targeting Urlacher

This is a tough play for any Mike linebacker. Brian Urlacher is responsible for covering the Z vertically up the field. He will open his hips to the passing strength (closed side) and carry Jennings on the post to the middle of the end zone. Safeties Major Wright and Chris Harris will break to overlap Jennings on the throw from Aaron Rodgers, but the play initially has to be made by Urlacher. That's a tough assignment versus the speed of Jennings.

Rodgers in the red zone

The Packers quarterback plays at a high level, particularly in the red zone, because of his accuracy. With Jennings his first read, Rodgers will try to put the ball on the back shoulder of his wide receiver — away from Urlacher's inside leverage. If the Bears close the throwing lanes in the end zone, Rodgers will check down to the double smash routes by the W and Y. That is the result the Bears' defense is looking for.

After playing at Glenbard West and Iowa, Matt Bowen spent seven seasons in the NFL as a strong safety with the Rams, Packers, Redskins and Bills, including playing for Lovie Smith and Mike Martz in St. Louis. When he's not writing for the Tribune, you can find his work at nationalfootballpost.com